Practical Nurse

Summary The Licensed Practical Nurse position is in Nursing - Specialty Service (Dermatology - Urology - and Podiatry) at the Newington Veterans Administration Clinic located in Newington - CT. This position is full time at 40 hours per week. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy English Language Proficiency: Licensed practical or vocational nurses appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) Education: Graduate of a school of practical or vocational nursing approved by the appropriate State licensing agency and/or accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) at the time the program was completed Exceptions: Please see exceptions under the Education section of this announcement License: Full - active - current and unrestricted licensure as a licensed practical or vocational nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or District of Columbia Grandfathering Provision: May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria) Grade Determination: GS-3 Licensed Practical Nurse Requirements: ( Entry Level ) None beyond the Basic Requirements listed above Grade Determination: GS-4 ( developmental level 1 ) Education and /or Experience applicants must meet any of the criteria in paragraphs (a) through (c) below: (a) Six months of qualifying experience as an LPN or LVN or (b) Graduation from an approved school (which may be waived as provided in paragraph 4 of Section C) and one year of experience that involved nursing care work in a hospital - outpatient clinic - nursing home - or other supervised medical - nursing - or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures or (c) Graduation from an approved school of at least 24 months duration Grade Determination: GS-5 ( developmental level 2 ) Experience and all KSA's Experience: Completion of at least 1 full year of qualifying experience at the GS-4 level or equivalent Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities ( KSA's ) : Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide a full range of practical nursing care to patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems Works with the RN and/or MD/DO to appropriately orient/train less experienced LPNs/LVNs and/or Nursing Assistants (NAs)/Health Technicians (HTs) in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery Provides effective education to patients and/or family members in relation to common disease processes - medication - and /or prescribed treatment regimes Demonstrated ability to serve as a responsible member of the nursing team and interact in an appropriate manner with patients - family members - professional and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care - incorporating acceptable - established customer service standards into practice Knowledge and skill sufficient to prepare - administer - and appropriately document actions taken specific to commonly prescribed oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and/or intravenous medications as permitted by approved local facility policies and procedures Observation and documentation will include patient's response to medication administered and the reporting of any noted change in patient's condition to RN or MD/DO Knowledge and ability to recognize the need for and to institute emergency measures when indicated - promptly seek the assistance of the RN or MD/DO - and assist in resuscitation procedures in cardiac and/or pulmonary arrest Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action Completed work is under the general supervision of an RN or MD/DO Individuals at this grade level are expected to have a broad working knowledge of practical nursing procedures However - completion of more complex practices or procedures may be subject to closer higher-level review Grade Determination: GS-6 ( Full performance level ) Experience and all KSA's : Experience : Completion of at least one full year of additional qualifying experience at the GS-5 level or equivalent - fully meeting all performance requirements for the GS-5 LPN/LVN Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities ( KSA's ) : Technically proficient in initiating - performing and completing assigned duties in providing care to variable patient populations Knowledge and ability to appropriately carry out assigned patient care based on the patients' conditions to use judgment in selecting the appropriate order and sequence of procedures and treatments and to accurately recognize - report and record relevant patient information Completed work should need only a general review by a registered nurse (RN) or physician (MD/DO) for appropriateness and conformity with established policies/procedures Ability to observe - identify and respond to the patient's needs for care - including medication - equipment-assisted care and patient/family education In organizing and delivering care - the LPN/LVN recognizes and considers emotional - cultural - spiritual - socio-economic - and age-related factors Prepares and administers prescribed medications (oral - topical - subcutaneous - intramuscular and/or intravenous) and performs treatments according to established policies/procedures Observes for physical and/or emotional changes in patient's condition from prescribed medications/treatments - promptly and accurately documenting noted changes - and reporting any deviations from normal to RN or MD/DO Knowledge and ability to recognize urgent or emergent patient care situations - seek assistance of the RN and/or MD/DO - and initiate appropriate emergency interventions as directed Knowledge and understanding of human behavior - patient motivations and reactions to situations - and ability to appropriately utilize this knowledge in working effectively with patients - family members - and other staff Establishes constructive relationships with individual patients and their families to elicit feelings and attitudes - and to promote positive relationships - communication and socialization skills Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery Effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with patients - family members - and/or other internal/external customers Knowledge and skill in performing support duties for complex diagnostic tests and/or specialized practices or procedures - which include preparing the patient - assisting in the diagnostic examination - preparing and handling specialized instruments or other specialized equipment - and monitoring the patient's condition before - during - and following the procedure Serves as a preceptor in orienting - educating - and training less experienced LPNs/LVNs or NAs/HTs related to support duties for these more complex - specialized tests/procedures Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice Preferred Experience: Dermatology experience: Ambulatory Care experience: Wound Care experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Duties VA Careers - Licensed Practical Nurse: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-06.This work of this position will be performed in the Specialty Care service line under the ENT/Audio/Speech section The duties of this occupation include but are not limited to the following: Delivery of high-quality care in ENT - Audiology - and Speech services Maintaining efficient patient flow and coordination with interdisciplinary teams Support providers in delivering timely - patient-centered care Perform routine nursing care - including obtaining vital signs - administering medications - assisting with procedures - and providing patient education Ensure smooth clinic operations by preparing rooms - stocking supplies - coordinating patient schedules - and ensuring timely care Assist providers with procedures such as ear irrigations - audiometric testing preparation - speech evaluations - and minor surgical procedures Record patient data in electronic health records (EHR) and ensure accurate documentation of care provided Work closely with providers - administrative staff - and interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care and facilitate efficient communication Clean and maintain medical equipment - ensuring functionality and compliance with safety standards Provide compassionate support - ensuring patients understand their care plans and follow-up instructions Recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations Work Schedule: Full time 8:30am - 5:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade) Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66 Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 689-F1050/689-F1049/689-F1048/689-F1047 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service This position is in an AFGE Bargaining unit This position is covered by a special rate Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action) The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted) In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held No award SF50's will be accepted Narrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Diversity Group